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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 2025).

The Things They Say!

This is a good opportunity to say thanks to BSH for their support of the jazz scene in the North East (and beyond) - it's no exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for them many, many fine musicians, bands and projects across a huge cross section of jazz wouldn't be getting reviewed at all, because we're in the "desolate"(!) North. (M & SSBB on F/book 23/12/24)

Postage

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

Reviewers wanted

Whilst BSH attempts to cover as many gigs, festivals and albums as possible, to make the site even more comprehensive we need more 'boots on the ground' to cover the albums seeking review - a large percentage of which never get heard - report on gigs or just to air your views on anything jazz related. Interested? then please get in touch. Contact details are on the blog. Look forward to hearing from you. Lance

Monday, December 07, 2009

Monday Night @ The Cherry Tree Restaurant, Jesmond

Stuart Collingwood (pno), Neil Harland (bs), Paul Smith (dms), Mo Scott (vcl).
Whilst I contemplated the appetising choice of starters from the Table D'Hote Xmas menu, Stu Collingwood had no such reservations - for his starter he went straight into "Sleigh Ride". It was bright and crisp and even - rather like what I imagine the Mustard Caesar Salad with Crisp Pancetta, Spring Onions and Soft Boiled Egg would be.
I don't know as, whilst I was deliberating between the Smoked Scottish Salmon with Shallots, Sour Cream & Lemon Rye Bread or the Prawn & Crayfish Cocktail with Marie Rose Sauce and Lemon, Mo Scott stepped up and 'Took a Chance On Love" followed by "Blue Skies" and "Embraceable You".
Even though, at this stage she was in 'let's not drown out the diners' mode the voice still came across with that distinctive edge that tells you there is a blues mama inside that petite frame just crying to be set free - she would be... later.
I went for the Prawn & Crayfish Cocktail just as Mo "Got the World on a String" - both were excellent - the Marie Rose Sauce giving the Prawn & Crayfish the kind of backing Mo was getting from Stu and the boys.
"Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You" told anyone who didn't know that this was Mo's 'Main Course'.
I don't mean the song, I mean the idiom. In a previous life Mo must have been born in Texas raised in Tennessee because you don't sing like that if you were born in say Surbiton and raised in Borehamwood.
Talking main courses - my Rib Eye Steak with Garden Leaves, French Fries & Bearnaise Sauce went down a treat accompanied by Mo's rousing version of "Squeeze Me" and her plaintive wailing on "Don't Explain".
The band, the chef and Mo were moving into top gear.
Mulled Fruits with Gingerbread Ice Cream combined with the final blast on "Route 66" to make this a rather special evening. The crowded room demanded more and they got more - blues that is.
I may have concentrated on Mo and food - pig that I am - but Stuart Collingwood was also on form even although, by his standards, he was relatively restrained. When he did say 'to hell with the wallpaper music' you knew you were hearing something. Neil, the most laid back guy in the business couldn't hit a bum note if he was paid to, and Paul, driving without overpowering, quietly swung throughout.
Monday nights here really are the business.
Next week it is Jim Birkett trio with Sue Ferris on saxes. Now for starters, a bossa novarish "Wave" accompanied by a souffle...
Lance.

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